People who drink regularly at higher levels place themselves at increased risk of chronic ill health and premature death, while an episode of heavy drinking places the drinker and others at risk of injury and death. These patterns of drinking also have substantial social and economic implications, not only for individuals, but also for families, workplaces, and society as a whole.

In 2004-05, of Tasmanians aged 18 years and over:

some 13.0% of males and 10.0% of females were classified as having a risky or high risk drinking status;

12.8% had not consumed alcohol in the previous year.

ALCOHOL DRINKING STATUS(a)(b), Tasmania, 2004-05

Age group (years)

18-24

25-44

45 to 64

65 and over

Males

Females

Total

Drinking Status

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Low risk

50.8

53.0

51.7

46.3

59.1

43.4

51.1

Risky/high risk

*8.3

14.9

12.7

4.5

13.0

10.0

11.4

Last consumed alcohol

1 week to less than 12 months ago

32.8

25.9

22.0

22.4

20.2

29.0

24.7

12 months or more/Never consumed alcohol (c)

*8.1

6.2

13.7

26.9

7.6

17.7

12.8

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

* estimate has a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution(a) Persons aged 18 years and over.(b) Males who reported an average daily consumption of alcohol of over 50ml and females who reported an average daily consumption of alcohol of over 25ml.(c) Includes persons for whom time since last drank alcohol was not stated.Source: National Health Survey: Summary of Results; State Tables, 2004-05 (Cat. No. 4362.0).